George W Bush Net Worth: Financial Perspective on His Wealth

George Walker Bush is an American politician, businessperson, and author with an estimated net worth of $50 million. He was the 43rd president of the United States, leading during a critical period in American history marked by the 2001 September 11 terror attacks.

Before his presidency, Bush was the governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000. His business career included involvement in the oil industry and part ownership of the Texas Rangers baseball club. After his terms, Bush expanded his income streams with book deals and speaking engagements, making roughly $100,000 to $175,000 per event.

This article explores George W Bush net worth, personal and professional life, and political and business careers.

Quick facts about George W Bush net worth

Name:	George W. Bush
Date of birth:	July 6, 1946
Family	Wife: Laura Bush, Children: Twin Girls, Jenna and Barbara Bush
Profession:	Businessman, Politician, Former U.S President
Nationality:	American
Estimated net worth:	$50 million as of 2024

Early Life

George W. Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut, to a family deeply rooted in politics and public service. He was the first of six children of George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush. His father served as the 41st president of the United States between 1989 and 1993, while his grandfather, Prescot Bush, served Connecticut as a U.S. Senator between 1952 and 1963.

Bush and his family relocated to Midland, Texas, at a young age. He attended several prestigious schools, including The Kinkaid School in Houston and Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. At Philips, he didn’t excel in academics but was exceptional in cheerleading and had an outgoing personality.

Bush enrolled at Yale University in 1964, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, eventually graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1968. He was an active figure on campus, becoming the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity president. He also joined Skull and Bones, an elite and highly secretive society with influential alumni, including his father and other political and business leaders.

Before graduating, Bush joined the Texas Air National Guard and trained as a pilot. He finished his flight school and became a certified fighter pilot by 1970. After his time with the Texas National Guard, he applied to study law at the Texas School of Law but was rejected. Despite this setback, he redirected his focus to Harvard and was accepted into Harvard Business School in 1973.

He pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and graduated in 1975, an achievement that made him the first United States president with an MBA. Harvard enhanced his business and management acumen and laid the groundwork for his future oil ventures and political career.

Key business ventures: Oil, sports, and beyond

Arbusto Energy and Spectrum 7: Bush’s years in the oil business

George Bush’s initial entry into business was through Arbusto Energy, an oil exploration company founded in 1977. The company was partly funded by family connections and wealthy investors and aimed to capitalize on the oil boom.

While his oil investments did not bring him significant wealth, they helped build his reputation as a businessperson and set the foundation for his future political career.

A notable moment in his years in the oil business was when he sold his shares to Harken Energy Corporation for $848,560, right before the company suffered massive losses. The Securities and Exchange Commission investigated the event and cleared him of wrongdoing.

Texas Rangers Baseball Franchise: A home run investment

In 1989, W. Bush became a managing general partner of the Texas Rangers baseball club, leading an investment group to acquire the team for $86 million. His own money was $606,302, of which $500,000 was a loan. His primary position was to become the face of the franchise, leveraging his charisma, business acumen, and family name to attract support and attention for the club.

One of his key achievements was securing funding for a new stadium, The Ballpark in Arlington, primarily funded using taxpayer money. The new stadium enhanced the club’s operations and boosted its valuation. The franchise was sold in 1998 for $250 million, leaving Bush with approximately $15 million, a significant boost to his growing net worth.

The success of this venture not only boosted Bush’s public image but also provided a financial cushion that supported his gubernatorial and presidential campaigns.

Harken Energy: The controversial exit

After Harken Energy Corporation acquired Spectrum 7 in 1986, Bush remained a consultant and board member. Harken shifted its focus to international oil exploration projects, including a significant deal in Burhain. While Bush did not directly influence any operations, his association with the company kept him connected in the business world and provided him with a constant flow of income.

In 1990, George Bush sold his shares to the company for $848,560, shortly before Harken reported massive losses. This attracted significant attention and led to an SEC investigation to determine whether Bush had insider information influencing his decision. However, the investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing.

Presidency and political career

George W. Bush’s political career is marked by significant events that shaped United States policy, both domestic and foreign.

George Bush served as the 43rd president of the United States of America between 2001 and 2009. He was re-elected in 2004, beating Democrat John Kerry. Bush’s administration was defined by his response to the 2001 September 11 terror attacks, which resulted in the War on Terror initiative. The initiative included military intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq, which was influenced by the belief that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction.

At home, Bush signed the No Child Left Behind policy of 2001. He also enacted significant tax cuts and Medicare prescription drug benefits.

Before becoming the president, George W. Bush served Texas as governor between 1995 and 2000. He was the first Texas governor to win four consecutive terms. As governor, Bush was known for his bipartisan efforts, focusing on criminal justice and education initiatives.

Post-Presidency income

Although he was already a millionaire when he was elected president in 2001, Bush’s wealth shrunk during his term in office and skyrocketed when he left Washington.

After leaving the White House, Bush’s fortune grew thanks to various ventures, including book royalties and speaking engagements. He authored two bestselling books, Decision Points and 41: A Portrait of My Father, which earned him over $10 million in royalties.

He also became a highly sought-after public speaker, earning an estimated $250,000 per appearance. He reportedly earned over $10 million from speaking engagements annually.

Real estate assets

Bush has an expansive real estate portfolio, including a 1583-acre Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, which is worth $20 million and serves as his primary residence. He also owns a $15 million family summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine, and another house in Dallas worth $5 million.